OptimERA proudly sponsored the youth of Akutan to participate in the 2024 Urban Unungax Culture Camp in Anchorage, Alaska. Each year, various Alaskan tribes convene for an annual Culture Camp during the summer months, where they impart traditional knowledge, practices, and uphold their heritage.
When the group from Akutan arrived in Anchorage, it was 84 degrees—a stark contrast to the weather they were used to back home, which was typically 36 degrees cooler. They knew this welcoming weather would set the precedent for what was to come on their visit to the mainland.
All the youth who attended were part of the local Akutan Dance group. After arriving in Anchorage and getting settled in, they attended orientation and quickly joined their respective groups for the event. Following that, they embarked on a three-day immersion in the teachings of their culture and traditions. They participated in a variety of classes ranging from building model iqyax boats, beadwork, bentwood hat making, basket weaving, paddle carving, traditional food preparation, language, dance, and art. By the end of the event, they had completed five model iqyax boats, one bentwood hat, one paddle, and three beaded suns. They also started three different baskets, pickled fish and octopus, smoked salmon, and created art using octopus tentacles. Additionally, they practiced traditional dancing with a larger group of dancers. They left the three-day event with incredible memories and knowledge that they can now take home, practice, and share with others.
As a company founded in the Aleutians, specifically Unalaska/Dutch Harbor, OptimERA considers the nearby island of Akutan not just our neighbors but also a part of our community. Over the years, we have supported their youth by providing free WiFi for school fundraising efforts, sponsored a student to participate in programs like Washington DC’s Close Up, and now facilitating their attendance at the Culture Camp in Anchorage.
Our company culture thrives on fostering connections: linking communities and their members, improving access to education and healthcare, and forging meaningful bonds among our youth, elders, and veterans. When presented with the opportunity to support Akutan youth attending the Urban Unungax Culture Camp on the mainland, we eagerly embraced it. Facilitating these connections embodies the core mission of OptimERA xG and defines who we are as a company.